Hodgson stands up for Torres

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson stood up for striker Fernando Torres after a disappointing display in the goalless draw at Birmingham City.

The Spain international frontman has started the new season slowly, but Hodgson is confident that as Torres gains match fitness he will return to top form.

He told reporters: “He is looking much fitter with every game and I thought he looked dangerous and I thought, the longer the game went, the stronger he became.

“I’m not at all concerned about Fernando Torres. He will get better and better.”

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Fulham’s England international striker Bobby Zamora has undergone surgery on the leg injury sustained in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Wolves at Craven Cottage.

The 29-year-old is facing at least four months out of action, with the surgeon also having to repair ligament damage to Zamora’s right ankle, just below his fractured fibula.

McLaren ace Lewis Hamilton admitted that he made a mistake which could cost him the world championship as he crashed out of the Italian Grand Prix on the first lap.

Hamilton made a flying start at Monza, but in trying to pressurise Ferrari’s Felipe Massa he saw his front suspension damaged and he careered off the track at the next corner.

As a result of no points scored, Hamilton gave up the standings leadership to Red Bull’s Mark Webber and the Englishman offered no excuses.

He told BBC Sport; “It’s not over, but it is mistakes like I made today that lose world championships. I only have myself to blame and I am very disappointed in myself.”

England’s Paul Casey carded three birdies on the back nine to allow Dustin Johnson to secure a one-shot victory at the BMW Championship.

The Cog Hill showpiece was the third of the four FedEx Cup play-off tournaments, with only the Tour Championship left to play.

Casey, who recently missed out on a Ryder Cup wildcard pick, looked to be on course for a morale-boosting victory before bogeys at the 13th, 14th and 15th put paid to his hopes of glory.

Martin Kaymer continued his rich vein of form by easing to victory in the KLM Open by four strokes.

The German, who has been included in Colin Montgomerie’s team for next month’s Ryder Cup, led by one shot going into the final round and never looked like relinquishing his advantage as he shot a four-under-par 66 to finish on 14-under.

Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti and Swede Christian Nilsson both shot 69 to finish tied for second on ten-under.